T&F's new era is underway

A new era is underway for the Penn State Fayette Track & Field team as Shane Bush has taken over for legendary coach Joe Carei, and Bush did not hesitate to give Carei credit for the success the program has had.

"First, I want to give all credit to Coach Carei for building this program and what he accomplished in such a short period of time," Bush said. "To be able to not only compete for national championships, but to win, it speaks greatly to Coach Carei's abilities.  I am honored that Coach Carei (had a say in me being hired) to carry on his legacy.  I want to keep the tradition that Coach Carei has started with this program."

Bush brings plenty of experience to the table.

"My background in Track & Field starts back in high school when I competed in the shop event for Edward C Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada," he said. "I competed one-year collegiately before I joined the military.  During my military service, I was able to compete as an amateur for some local German clubs.  I have over eight years coaching the throwing events at the high school level and this will be my second year coaching at the collegiate level.  I am a level one certified coach through USA Track & Field as well as a specialist certificate in Cross-Country through USA Track & Field.  As a coach at the high school level, I have had three throwers set school records for Penn Trafford High School, and I sent at least one athlete to state championships for the last six years.  At the collegiate level I have had one athlete break a school record at Penn State Fayette.  During last year's USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) championships, I had throwers finish in the top three in three different events."

Fayette returns several competitors from last season, and Bush began started with the women's team members of Chloe Kalp (Melcraft, PA/Connellsville HS), Julie Seliga (Smock, PA/Uniontown HS), Nicole Walker (West Mifflin, PA/West Mifflin HS) and Jennifer Zelenick (Fredericktown, PA/Beth-Center HS).

"We are bringing back some strong competitors from last year's team," he said.  "Chloe finished in first place in this past PSUAC (Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference) Cross Country championships, and Julie finished second.  Nicole Walker sat out the Cross Country season due to injury, and we are expecting great things out of her during the Track season.  Jennifer set the school record on the weight throw last year.  She has been training very hard this off-season, and I am expecting her to challenge for a national championship in the throwing events."

Bush is looking at Kalp as a leader.

"Chloe has certainly started to step up in the role as a leader for this team," he said. "She helps motivate the other runners, and her commitment to her sports is second to none."

On the men's side, the returning student-athletes are Ethan Mates (Mt. Pleasant, PA/Mt. Pleasant HS), Logan Miller (Uniontown, PA/Laurel Highlands HS) and Jake Noel (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe HS).

"Ethan, Logan, and Jake are just some of the few returning runners we have back on the Track team," Bush said. "Jake is converting from a full-time thrower for last year's team to more of a springing role this year, but he will still be competing in the javelin throw."

Bush pointed out several new faces on this year's team.

"We have quite a few new athletes on the team this year, and I am expecting big things from some of them," he said. "Reagan Dolly  and Alysha Lessman  are new to the women's squad.  Reagan will be competing in the sprinting events while Alysha will be showing off her abilities in the throwing events.  On the men's side, we are expecting great things from them in the spring events, and Josh Hunter , Kyler Theodori , Xavier Boyd, and Torian Jenkins are just a few."

What does Bush want to see this season?

"I truly expect great things this year from this team," he said. "I think with the numbers that we have, we could not only compete for the USCAA national championship, but I believe we could win a national championship."

What goals does Bush have to see the team reach his expectations?

"My goals for this team are on a weekly basis, and each week has its own goal," he said. "Sometimes those goals will be measured in competition.  Other times it will be based on performance during practice.  But the overall goal is to improve every week."

What does Bush see as a successful season?

"As a coach, I would say when we win the national championship, but this year has already been a success, thanks to the athletes of this team," he said. "We have more than doubled the number of kids from last year's team, and they're all motivated and want to compete."

The Track & Field team opens the season on Friday, February 18 at the Penn State Tuneup on the main campus of Penn State University.

For more information on the Penn State track and field team, go to https://www.psfathletics.com/sports/track/index or follow the team on Instagram @fayetteathletics.

By: Bill Hughes